Smart and Sustainable Crop Protection: Design and Evaluation of a Novel α-Amylase-Responsive Nanopesticide for Effective Pest Control
Jiaqing Li, Donglin Li, Zhaoyang Zhang, Chang Yu, Dan Sun, Ziyao Mo, Jiayin Wang, Mmby Mohamed, Hong You, Hu Wan, Jianhong Li, Shun He
Abstract
In this study, an α-amylase-responsive controlled-release formulation was developed by capping polydopamine onto β-cyclodextrin-modified abamectin-loaded hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The prepared Aba@HMS@CD@PDA were subjected to characterization using various analytical techniques. The findings revealed that Aba@HMS@CD@PDA, featuring a loading rate of 18.8 wt %, displayed noteworthy release behavior of abamectin in the presence of α-amylase. In comparison to abamectin EC, Aba@HMS@CD@PDA displayed a significantly foliar affinity and improved rainfastness on lotus leaves. The results of field trail demonstrated a significantly higher control efficacy against Spodoptera litura Fabricius compared to abamectin EC at all concentrations after 7, 14, and 21 days of spaying, showcasing the remarkable persistence of Aba@HMS@CD@PDA. These results underscore the potential of Aba@HMS@CD@PDA as a novel and persistently effective strategy for sustainable on-demand crop protection. The application of nanopesticides can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of pesticide utilization, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.